D1 Training Franchise Costs, Fees & Owner Salary (2023)

D1 Training, founded in 2001 by former NFL player Will Bartholomew, is a Nashville-based fitness franchise that differentiates itself from traditional gyms by focusing on athletic-based training. The franchise started its franchising operations in 2016 and has since expanded rapidly. 

D1 Training offers a unique gym experience by providing individual and small-group training classes, specializing in basic athleticism, advanced cross-training and fitness, and targeted workouts. Their approach is tailored to clients of all ages, from young athletes to adults seeking to improve their overall health and strength. The franchise prides itself on assembling teams of highly qualified coaches, fitness experts, and support personnel, many of whom have backgrounds as elite athletes themselves.

The training programs at D1 Training are based on five core tenets: dynamic warm-up, performance guide, strength program, core and conditioning, and cool down. This structured approach, along with state-of-the-art equipment, has garnered client satisfaction and loyalty.

Initial Franchise Fee

The initial franchise fee for a D1 Training Facility is $59,500, payable in a lump sum when the Franchise Agreement is signed. They offer a reduced franchise fee for those who wish to open and develop multiple D1 Training Facilities at the time of the original package signing. The fee is fully earned when paid and is non-refundable. For additional franchises, the initial franchise fee is reduced as follows:

• $40,000 for the second franchise agreement
• $35,000 for the third franchise agreement
• $30,000 for the fourth to tenth franchise agreements

Royalty Fee

Starts 12 months after signing the Franchise Agreement, equal to the greater of (i) 7% of Gross Sales or (ii) the Minimum Royalty Fee which is $1,950 per month in the first year, $2,450 per month in the second year, and $2,950 per month in the third year and each additional year.

Advertising Fee

The Marketing Fund fee is $250 monthly. The local Marketing Requirement is currently $100 per day. The Marketing Fund is used for promoting the D1 brand, and contributions may increase up to 2% of Gross Sales.

Technology Fee

Specific details about the Technology Fee are not provided in the cited references.

Transfer Fees

The Transfer Fee for the Franchise Agreement is $7,500, and for the Area Development Agreement, it is $7,500 per territory. A Transfer Review Fee will vary under different circumstances.

Renewal Fees

The Renewal Fee is $15,000, paid upon renewal in lieu of an initial franchise fee on renewal of the Franchise Agreement.

The franchisor provides various types of training for franchisees of D1 Training Facilities. Here's a detailed explanation of the training provided:

Initial Training Program

• The initial training program is designed to cover all phases of operating a D1 Training Facility. It is conducted at the franchisor's headquarters or another designated location.
• The training is provided for up to two people, including the franchisee (or Designated Representative) and the General Manager, at no additional charge.
• This program must be completed to the franchisor's satisfaction before opening the business. It includes both on-the-job training and classroom or online training.
• Additional training may be requested at the end of the initial program, subject to the franchisor's agreement and payment of their current daily fee.
• New General Managers hired after opening must also attend training at the next available date.‍

Refresher and Additional Training

• The franchisor may require the franchisee, General Manager, and experienced employees to attend various training courses periodically. Attendance at more than two of these courses or for more than a total of 6 business days during any calendar year is not typically required.

The D1 Training Franchise Agreement does not provide exclusive territory protection to franchisees. Franchisees may face competition within their designated territories from other franchisees, outlets owned by the franchisor, or other channels of distribution controlled by the franchisor.

The D1 Training Franchise Agreement does not explicitly support passive investment or absentee ownership. It emphasizes active involvement in the operation and supervision of the franchise business.

Owners are recommended, but not required, to supervise the management and operation of their business directly. If the owner is a legal entity, they must appoint an individual, approved by the franchisor, to actively manage and supervise the business. The Designated Representative must own at least 5% of the franchise and have decision-making authority.